Is there a headache bringing you down? Your headache could have been brought on by any number of factors. You may be going through a stressful time, it may be the impact of the hectic everyday life, or you may be dehydrated. If you’re looking for some natural ways to get rid of your headache and feel better, then here are some remedies suggested for you.
1. Treat yourself with a gentle massage
A gentle head massage can work wonders in relieving your headache. When massaging your head, give special attention to areas like forehead, back of your head, and temples. Sometimes, headaches can happen due to the tightness and tension held by the muscles in the neck and shoulders. Massaging these areas can help too. If the idea of self-massage doesn’t appeal to you, then get a professional’s help!
2. Drink more water if you don’t already
You might be having a headache because of dehydration. So, if you’ve been forgetting to drink water, go ahead and have some right away. While plain water would definitely work, you could also hydrate with coconut water if you like. To increase your fluid intake, you could also have fresh fruit juices and herbal teas. It is better to avoid alcohol at this time because of its dehydrating effect on the body. Going forward, maintain proper water intake daily to keep dehydration as well as resulting headaches at bay.
3. Try cold or warm compress
Depending on the type of headache you’re experiencing, using a cold or warm compress may do the trick of easing it. While hot compress is suitable for tension headaches, cold compress could be used for migraine headaches. Give yourself a hot compress with a hot towel or a store-bought heating pad. To make a cold compress on your own, grab a plastic bag, put some ice in it, and wrap a thin piece of cloth around it before placing it on your skin.
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4. Sleep neither too less nor too much
When it comes to sleep, you don’t want to underdo or overdo it. While lack of enough sleep can cause headaches, excess of sleep can also result in the same issue. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. However, it’s not just about the quantity, it’s about the quality of sleep you get too. Establishing a healthy sleep routine goes a long way in ensuring good sleep on a regular basis.
5. Enjoy the aroma of essential oils
The calming effect of certain fragrances can help alleviate your headache. Essential oils such as lavender oil and peppermint oil are good examples. The aroma of essential oils may not feel therapeutic for everyone, though. If you find a particular aroma to be aggravating rather than soothing, then it’s best to avoid it.
6. Let any excess weight off your head
See if there’s any physical weight or pressure that could be feeling heavy on your head, thus making it ache. For instance, if you’re sporting a tight headband or a big/heavy hat, then taking these things off might put you at ease. If you have your hair tied up into a tight bun or pony, then letting your hair down and loose might feel better for your scalp as well as head.
7. Practice activities that relax your mind
If the root cause of your headaches is a stressful life, then work on reducing and tackling your worries. Meditation and mindful breathing are great for inducing a sense of deep calm and focus in the mind. The practice of yoga isn’t just beneficial for relaxing the body, but it’s just as good for the mind too. Try to make these destressing practices a regular part of your life.
It is a good idea to identify if there are any specific triggers causing your headaches. There could be certain smells or foods that may be the culprits. Another example of trigger is, bright light when it comes to migraine headaches. Identifying and eliminating triggers like these would be helpful for preventing and managing headaches over the long run. If your headache doesn’t seem to get better, persists, or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, then do reach out to your doctor at the earliest.
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